With a passion for Japan and travel being a significant part of his career, it made sense for new tiny home owner Josselin to have a Japan-inspired house on wheels. After all, living in a tiny home would mean he could save thousands of dollars on hotel accommodation. And why shouldn’t he have a home inspired by a country he loves?
So, that’s where the Bonzaï Tiny House comes into the picture. Built by the highly regarded French tiny house company Baluchon, it’s an eye-catching yet quaint house built on a conservative 4.5-metre long (15-foot) trailer. With his entire life packed into the conservative floorplan, Josselin now lives in the tiny house full time while traveling around England.
It’s hard not to notice this house when you see it driving down the road, towed behind Josselin’s vehicle. The red and black aluminum coverings are a vibrant addition to the wood cladding. The curved frame and stunning bull’s eye on the gable also catch your eye.
Baluchon hasn’t listed the price for Bonzaï online, but houses of this caliber typically sell for between €85,000 and 100,000, or around $94,600 to 111,300.
Josselin, an enthusiast of Japanese culture, is the proud owner of the Bonzaï Tiny House, a creation inspired by Japanese design and built by the French company Baluchon. Josselin travels around England with this 4.5-metre tiny home, living in it full time. It boasts gorgeous black and red aluminum, warm natural wood cladding, and a striking curved frame reminiscent of Japanese architecture.
Josselin might not be able to have a relaxing patio or deck, but he can still have his very own exterior slice of paradise courtesy of his tiny home’s roof terrace. It’s accessible via a fixed custom ladder at the tiny home’s entrance. He can enjoy glorious views and a relaxing private space, no matter where he parks on his travels.
Well-Designed Kitchen
While Bonzaï’s exterior might be bold and beautiful, the interior is muted, with more emphasis on practicality and modern freshness. The well-designed kitchen has an oak worktop, a spacious pantry, many high and low storage compartments, and a hob/sink combination. Adjacent to the kitchen lies a large unit with cupboards and drawers for convenient clothes storage.
While wood is undoubtedly the most predominant material in this area, the ‘sameness’ is broken up through striking black fixtures.
Meal preparation space is vital in any kitchen, and Baluchon delivered. While there’s already an oak counter for Josselin to use, he can also slide out a worktop extension and use it as a dining table or for extra preparation space.
Entering the house through the bathroom is an unconventional yet practical choice. The door is fitted with a frosted window, ensuring privacy. Surprisingly efficient and aesthetically pleasing, the bathroom is conveniently located next to the kitchen. It includes a dry toilet equipped with a stainless-steel bucket and a compartment for shavings. A wooden grate on the floor serves as a clever spot for storing shoes, keeping the floor clean. Additionally, the walls are adorned with numerous storage cabinets, offering ample space for various bathroom necessities.
Adjacent to the toilet in the bathroom is a large 80cm x 150cm shower tray. This space is multi-purpose, with a drying rack installed on the shower ceiling for convenience.
Japanese-Inspired Living Area
The living room in Bonzaï is a quaint, cozy, and comfortable nook that well and truly feels like home. It’s separated from the kitchen and bathroom by an oak door with gorgeous Washi paper, a form of traditional Japanese paper. However, you can also keep the door open and let the warmth emanating from the wood stove reach the rest of the tiny house.
There is even a large compartment behind the Washi door to store Josselin’s futon when it’s not in use. It can be rolled out onto the floor for nighttime use and then hung on a custom bar during the day for ventilation.
While wooden flooring is present throughout Bonzaï, the living room is a different story. This room is extra warm and welcoming, courtesy of the two light green tatami mats on the floor. They fit perfectly in this living space and work harmoniously with the natural wood and décor.
As the kitchen is slightly raised, you’re able to access four large storage drawers from the living room. This storage space can be helpful for everyday items.
As the kitchen is slightly raised, you’re able to access four large storage drawers from the living room. This storage space can be helpful for kitchen essentials or everyday items.
The wood stove is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the living room, with two attractive lights installed on either side and a sleek black backdrop. All maintenance accessories are conveniently installed on the wall next to it. Those cold England winters need never be a problem in the Bonzaï Tiny House.
The living room can quickly become an entertainer’s paradise when meal times are over. There’s a video projector installed above the oak door, with a sound bar installed above it. This means that Josselin can watch TV on a screen bigger than what most people have in their regular-sized homes!